3.3 Configuring Network Options

CloudAccess contains a manual routing table and supports two Network Interface Cards (NICs).

3.3.1 Configuring the Second NIC

CloudAccess allows you to configure two NICs for each node in the cluster. You can configure one NIC for the administrative network and a second NIC for the public network.

When you configure the second NIC, the CloudAccess appliance has only one global DNS name. In order for your users on the private network to access the correct network with the global DNS name for the appliance, you must do additional configuration on your network.

Two options allow users on the private network to access the CloudAccess appliance with the global DNS name:

  • An entry in the local host file on each user’s computer that resolves the global DNS name of the appliance to the private network

  • A separate DNS server that routes all internal traffic to the global DNS name of the appliance

To configure the second NIC on a node:

  1. Access the Admin page at https://dns_name/appliance/Admin.html, then log in with the password specified during the initialization process.

  2. Click a node icon, then select Configure.

  3. Click the Public Interface tab.

  4. Select Enable Separate Public Interface.

  5. Configure the network settings for your public network.

  6. Click Apply to save the changes.

  7. Click Close.

  8. Repeat Step 2 through Step 7 for each node in the cluster.

3.3.2 Configuring the Routing Table

CloudAccess provides a routing table for your use if your network has static routes. The routing table allows you to define the next hop in your network for the node in the cluster to reach the desired destination.

To configure the routing table for each node:

  1. Access the Admin page at https://dns_name/appliance/Admin.html, then log in with the password specified during the initialization process.

  2. Click the node icon, then select Configure.

  3. Click the Routing tab.

  4. Click the plus sign (+) icon to add a route.

  5. Define the desired route, then click OK.

  6. Add additional routes if desired.

  7. Click Close.

  8. Repeat Step 2 through Step 7 for each node in the cluster.

3.3.3 A Sample Network Configuration

The following graphic depicts a possible network configuration using CloudAccess with both NICs enabled on each node.

Figure 3-1 A Sample Network Diagram

The network diagram shows that each node has both NICs enabled. The first NIC is the administration interface for the node and the second NIC is the public interface of the node. All of the administration and corporate information stays on the administration interface side of the network. All user requests and application requests communicate only on the public interface. This configuration provides a layer of security for your corporate information.